Buckley B. Paddock, 78, resident of Fort Worth for fifty years, died at
his home following a long illness. "In the death of Captain Paddock, Fort
Worth has lost a far-sighted, faithful and generous friend. In dangerous
times he fought for the rights of this city as only a big man can fight,
and he loved her as only a big man can love. With rare devotion and ability
he served Fort Worth as mayor for eight years and later the Chamber of Commerce
as its secretary.... his far vision, unfailing courage and devotion to Fort
Worth made him its master builder. We owe him a debt of undying gratitude...."
quoting from a proclamation from Mayor E. H. Cockrell who ordered all flags
to half mast.

Paddock was born Jan 22, 1844 in Cleveland, Ohio, son of Boardman Paddock
and Margaret Buckley. His mother died when he was seven, and although never
attending school, he acquired learning through reading, study and observation.
By the time he was 14, he had visited all the territories in the West and
as far north as Hudson's Bay. During the year he spent with the Indians,
he never saw a white man.

Paddock enlisted in July 1862 as a private in the Confederate Army. He
was promoted to the rank of captain at age 18, and served in Wirt Adams'
Cavalry throughout the war. Captured on seven occasions, he escaped each
time within less that thirty-six hours after being taken prisoner. He
participated in the Battle of Green River in 1861 when Gen. Terry of the
Texas Rangers was killed; was with Morgan on his raid of Mumsfordsville,
Ky. and Gallatin, Tenn., at Shiloh, Farmington, Miss., Vicksburg, Edwards
Depot, Champion Hills and the Sherman raids in Mississippi as well as numerous
minor engagements. He was in the last fight with Federal troops.

As soon as he was mustered out at the end of the war, Paddock moved to
Fayette, Jefferson County, Miss. and began a rudimentary education. He was
admitted to the Bar within a comparatively short time and began law practice
in the Mississippi courts. In 1872 he came to Fort Worth as an attorney,
but soon became involved in the newspaper business.

He purchased the Fort Worth Democrat and published it as a weekly until
July 4, 1876 when, without prior announcement, it was issued as a daily.
The first few issues had no advertising, but as circulation increased, ads
grew, and before long, the paper was one of the most widely read in the
southwest. As editor, he was associated with all endeavors aimed toward making
the city a better place. The Paddock viaduct, spanning the Trinity River,
and connecting Fort Worth and North Fort Worth, is a monument to his
memory.

Captain Paddock married Miss Emmie Harper in 1867 in Fayette, Miss. They
had two sons, Wirt Adams and William B. and a daughter, Virgile. His many
memberships included the Odd Fellows, Royal Arch Masons, Knights of Pythias
and Knights of Honor. He served three times as Worshipful Master of his Masonic
Lodge.

During funeral services, practically all business in the city was suspended
to honor his memory. Broadway Presbyterian Church was packed with citizens
from all walks of life - the servants of the Paddock family, the present
and former mayors of the city, his comrades from the Robert E. Lee Camp UCV
and hundreds of friends. Services were conducted by Rev. D. F. McConnell,
pastor of the Church, followed by burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery. In addition
to dozens of floral arrangements, at the head of the casket was a huge pillow
of flowers sent by the Texas Division of the Daughters of the Confederacy
with a small Confederate flag in the center. Among the honorary pall bearers
were A. N. Dingee, J. W. Spender, K. M. Van Zandt, J. M. Hartsfield, Robert
McCart, Dr. W. A. Duringer, W. B. Harrison, Dr. Bacon Saunders, William Monnig,
Sr., W. B. Turner, Jesse Zane Cetti and Judge Bruce Young.

Among the hundreds of tributes, a Resolution of Respect from the Fort
Worth City Commissioners read in part: "To work for the upbuilding of his
city was for him a joy. We recognize that no man was more sincere in his
love for Fort Worth than was Captain B. B. Paddock. To him there were no
finer women than Fort Worth women, no more capable men than Fort Worth men
and no city with larger opportunities than Fort Worth. His splendid leadership
and achievements form bright pages in the annals of our city's history....
we shall miss his inspiration...."

Paddock once said, "I am the wealthiest man in Texas. I have all the money
that I want and the glory of Fort Worth and West Texas is also mine because
I am a citizen of both." And that is why the entire state, as well as Fort
Worth, will miss his leadership and his advice.

The passing of Capt. B.B. Paddock removed from Fort Worth the man whose
indomitable spirit and unflagging courage probably had more to do with the
upbuilding of that city than any other person who ever called it home. Not
that he expended large sums of money in promoting its welfare during the
most critical period of its history, but with the vim and energy which
characterized everything of a public nature that he undertook, he stirred
the failing spirits of others to action by whose material help he was enabled
to carry forward plans that he formed and saw grow to fulfillment.

When the Texas and Pacific Railway began laying track westward from Fort
Worth, the common feeling was that Fort Worth was to be a small town on the
right of way of a big railroad. Few citizens had any hope for future growth
and property values dropped to a low level. Paddock had no financial strength
- he owned a home and a struggling newspaper; however, he did have unlimited
faith and courage, and inspired such men as John Peter Smith, M. B. Loyd,
K. M. Van Zandt, J. J. Jarvis, W. G. Turner, B. C. Evans and a few others,
to begin the hard task of keeping Fort Worth on the up-grade.

In that year 1880, it was a typical western cattle town. The cattle trail
from southwestern ranches passed east of Main Street about half a mile. There
were no houses to speak of on that side of the city - only the "Red Light"
saloon and dance hall and a few shacks. The entire south side of the city
was without a house except for two residences on the hill nearly a mile from
the present location of the T & P roundhouse. No one lived north of the
river.

Paddock wasted no time. His paper spoke in no uncertain tone of the future.
He made his famous spider web map showing railroads radiating in every direction.
The building of the Santa Fe from Galveston had just begun and everyone expected
that it would head straight for Dallas. Paddock called a mass meeting - his
enthusiasm resulted in a subscription of $75,000 in cash and right of way
and formation of a committee to manhandle the builders, if necessary, to
bring the Santa Fe to Fort Worth. This secured the road.

This was followed by other strenuous subscription list work for additional
roads - large sums being paid every one to come to Fort Worth - until the
future was assured. Then the Rock Island came sans bonus, sans
solicitation.

Time passed. The Democrat was sold to George B. Holland and Paddock became
a railroad man himself. As president of the Fort Worth and Rio Grande Railway,
he accomplished many big things for his home city. He was later connected
with the Texas Investment Company, dealing in cattle and ranches, and with
the Fort Worth Gazette, founded and financed by the Investment Company and
a strong competitor with the Dallas News for supremacy in the newspaper
field.

The only time I ever knew him to lose his poise was when his two very
small boys, Wirt and Will, made a trip to Cleburne at the invitation of an
old stage driver who passed by the Paddock home in his daily trips. The boys
left no message and no clue could be found to account for their disappearance,
but when they returned safely, all was well.

A book could be written about Fort Worth during those days, and something
about B. B. Paddock would be found on every page. Those who have prospered
in Fort Worth as it grew in greatness as a city owe much to the man who has
just passed away."

Addenda concerning Captain Paddock's family:

"Widow of the Confederacy's youngest Captain," Mrs. Emily Paddock died
age 78. She was the daughter of Captain and Mrs. William L. Harter, Fayette,
Miss., and married Paddock Dec. 10, 1867. [Fort Worth Star-Telegram, March
26, 1926]

William B. Paddock, 56, died in Colorado Springs, Col. where he had moved
seeking a better climate for his health. Born near Fayette, Miss., he was
only six weeks old when the family moved to Fort Worth. He received his law
degree from a Virginia university and while a resident of Fort Worth, was
a well-known attorney and civic leader. His memberships included River Crest
Country Club, Fort Worth Club Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and Fort Worth
and Tarrant County Bar Association. He was elected to membership on the Carnegie
Library Board is 1903 and was elected chairman in 1906. He retained the office
even though he left the city. The vice-chairman presided over meetings in
his place.

Paddock married Miss Mary Harrison in 1906. She was a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. W. E. Harrison of Fort Worth. Survivors are his widow, two sons,
Burton and William, Jr., a brother, W. A. Paddock, of Houston and sister,
Mrs. Guy R. Pitner of New York. [Fort Worth Star-Telegram, April 18, 1929]

Wirt Adams Paddock, died in Houston, age 79. He was born May 8, 1870 at
Fayette, Miss. and graduated in 1889 from Knox College, Galesburg, Ill.,
a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. His first job was as timekeeper and
clerk for a quarry company in Granbury. He was well involved in oil wells
in the famous Spindletop field and Humble and Goose Creek. He was well known
as a Fort Worth oil man, rancher and civic leader. He married Miss Maude
Smith of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Dec. 19, 1919.

In May 1929, Paddock was named chairman of the Texas Prison Board by Gov.
Dan Moody. He was reappointed by Gov. Sterling, and also served under Gov.
Miriam A. Ferguson and Gov. James V. Allred. Survivors include his widow,
sister, Mrs. Guy R. Pitner of Fort Worth, two nieces, Mrs. Chalmers Hutchison
and Mrs. M. I. Cort of Fort Worth, two nephews, Burton B. Paddock, Fort Worth,
and William B. Paddock, Odessa. Services will be conducted in Houston and
he will be buried there. [Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Sept. 24, 1949]

Mrs. Virgile Paddock Pitner, 95, widow of the late Guy Pitner, died Aug.
23, 1972 in a Fort Worth hospital. She was a founding member of the Assembly,
and member of the Fort Worth Garden Club and the Women's Wednesday Club.
Two daughters survive: Mrs. Nicolas L. Cort and Mrs. Chalmers W. Hutchison;
Fort Worth; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren [Fort Worth
Star-Telegram, Aug. 12, 1972].